C10 to be the first Leapmotor EV for NZ

Another Chinese EV brand is set to join the NZ market, with details of Leapmotor’s arrival finally confirmed.

Leapmotor is set to debut in the New Zealand market in December 2024 with the launch of its all-new C10 electric SUV.

The introduction of Leapmotor will be managed by Auto Distributors New Zealand Limited, part of Rick Armstrong’s Armstrong Group.

The choice of ADNZ was always likely, with Leapmotor distributed outside of China through a tie-up with Stellantis. ADNZ already distributes Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel from the same group.

Armstrong is enthusiastic about the new venture.

“We are honoured to expand our partnership with Leapmotor and Stellantis, and to now represent this new brand and new opportunity in New Zealand,” Armstrong says.

“New Zealand has experienced its fair share of turbulence as successive governments discover our pathway to reduce the country’s carbon footprint. It is critical we continue to embrace this technology and be part of this EV-focused development in our market,” Armstrong says.

Leapmotor’s entry into the New Zealand market will be supported by dealerships in key centres, which are expected to be announced in October 2024. The dealer network for the brand has yet to be confirmed, but is likely to follow the same pattern as other Stellantis brands, largely based on Armstrong’s own outlets. A basic local website is available at leapmotor.com/nz.

ADNZ has indicated it will consider a range of Leapmotor models, including plug-in hybrid and electric SUVs of varying sizes. It won’t be taking on the T03 small hatchback, its 200km range being seen as too low for NZ tastes.

The Leapmotor C10, the brand’s first global product, is set to go head-to-head with the likes of the BYD Atto 3 and the larger Tesla Model Y.

The C10 is developed on Leapmotor’s proprietary LEAP 3.0 platform. Like the BYD Seal, it uses a Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) battery system, which enhances safety, handling, and driving range by integrating the battery cells into the vehicle’s structure.

This platform also includes Leapmotor’s self-developed four-domain-in-one architecture, which unifies critical systems like the cockpit, powertrain, and body controls. The vehicle also supports over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

The C10’s powertrain consists of a 160kW e-motor paired with a 69.9kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, providing a driving range of up to 420km. It can charge from 30% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes, with a modest peak charging speed of 84kW.

Geared towards ‘family use’, the C10 offers 581 litres of cargo space with all seats in use, which expands to 1410 litres when the second-row seats are folded flat. The cabin features multiple storage compartments, flat-folding rear seats, and a 14.6-inch central display for media, navigation, and vehicle controls. The infotainment system also includes a separate 10.25-inch driver’s display, along with smart ambient lighting and a 12-speaker surround sound system.

Comfort systems include heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic glass roof. The suspension system is claimed to have been tuned by Maserati.

The vehicle is equipped with seven airbags, pre-tensioning seat belts, and a suite of 17 advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and emergency braking.